Margaret Anna Cusack Care Center

From the moment you walk in, the place is welcoming and clean. The staff are thorough in keeping tract of all the people coming and going to ensure everyone's safety. Even as a volunteer, I wear a temporary ID while in the facility.

It's common to hear that living in a nursing home can become depressing for residents. The activities department does a wonderful job of keeping the residents busy and engaged with each other and with other staff members. There is a calendar on each floor that lists the schedule of activities for each day of the month. I usually come in on Bingo day, which runs for about 1.5 hours. The staff are so organized at transporting and seating the residents before and after the activity. There are plenty of volunteers who get to help those residents who may not be able to hear well or see well so that everyone has a chance to play.

The staff are kind enough to let volunteers go around the facility and spend one-on-one time with residents when there are no activities going on. As a volunteer, it's very rewarding for me to get to learn about their experiences as well as to put a smile on their faces. I think it's important to note that the nurses are very organized when giving out medication and keeping tabs on their residents. The rooms are clean and tidy, and there is enough room to allow privacy for two people who share a room.

Once a month, the activities department holds a party to celebrate the birthday celebrants of that particular month. This is a time when family members and friends get to spend time with their loved ones while having cake, cofee and dancing to music. It gives the residents a chance to mingle and socialize with those they don't usually see on a daily basis. The staff here not only do an exceptional job of taking care of the residents, but also go that extra step in getting to know them and treating them like family.